What makes a good Captain?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I too must agree with PPRuNe Radar, and add some futher ideas about fostering the right approach among your fellow crew and we ATC folk. Note that, as I type this, I'm thinking generally in terms of you addressing other crew...
Remember we're on the same team and thus have the same goal: move airplanes as safely and effeciently as is humanly possible. Anyone who says otherwise is a damned fool.
I'd strongly suggest repeated visits to your local ATC units (and non-local when you're elsewhere on the planet). Ask questions and don't feel stupid doing so--there's no reason in the world that you would be expected to understand the subtleties of what's going on there before you ask. Know that when you look at a RADAR display you're going to be disoriented at first. That's how we feel when we visit a different facility for the first time, and when we're on the flight deck. It's the nature of the beast. And it's pretty endearing to have an airline captain come in trying honestly to learn (and teach!).
Make a friend or two at those local ATC units. When you encounter other crew who have a certain disdain for ATC, take the other crew over to meet your friend and see the facility. Air the issues as completely as possible.
You're the customer and you are entitled to fair and unbiased treatment. However, we're just humans (except for Jerricho). Some are more customer-biased, some are less. Some are short-tempered, some are consistently calm and considered. Like you, we all have bad days (and I'd just like to add here that just because I vectored you ACCROSS the localizer on a windless day with no other traffic on frequency doesn't mean I'm an idiot. No sir.). In short, try to give us a break when we screw up and encourage others to do so. We'll try to return the favor.
Don't get into an argument with us on frequency (see previous paragraph under "short temper" and/or "bad day"). However, don't let your anger about a situation eat a hole in you either. Calmly ask for the faciltiy phone number and use it when you get on the ground. Remember, you don't have to make a forceful case because the recording can make it for you. See it through, and if you're in the right, be gracious and let it go. If you're in the wrong, be gracious and let it go. If poop needs to hit the fan it will regardless of what you do.
Tell you what: I'll continue to foster a spirit of helpfulness and open communication down here, and you do the same up there. I sincerely wish you the best in this new phase of your career.
Dave
Remember we're on the same team and thus have the same goal: move airplanes as safely and effeciently as is humanly possible. Anyone who says otherwise is a damned fool.
I'd strongly suggest repeated visits to your local ATC units (and non-local when you're elsewhere on the planet). Ask questions and don't feel stupid doing so--there's no reason in the world that you would be expected to understand the subtleties of what's going on there before you ask. Know that when you look at a RADAR display you're going to be disoriented at first. That's how we feel when we visit a different facility for the first time, and when we're on the flight deck. It's the nature of the beast. And it's pretty endearing to have an airline captain come in trying honestly to learn (and teach!).
Make a friend or two at those local ATC units. When you encounter other crew who have a certain disdain for ATC, take the other crew over to meet your friend and see the facility. Air the issues as completely as possible.
You're the customer and you are entitled to fair and unbiased treatment. However, we're just humans (except for Jerricho). Some are more customer-biased, some are less. Some are short-tempered, some are consistently calm and considered. Like you, we all have bad days (and I'd just like to add here that just because I vectored you ACCROSS the localizer on a windless day with no other traffic on frequency doesn't mean I'm an idiot. No sir.). In short, try to give us a break when we screw up and encourage others to do so. We'll try to return the favor.
Don't get into an argument with us on frequency (see previous paragraph under "short temper" and/or "bad day"). However, don't let your anger about a situation eat a hole in you either. Calmly ask for the faciltiy phone number and use it when you get on the ground. Remember, you don't have to make a forceful case because the recording can make it for you. See it through, and if you're in the right, be gracious and let it go. If you're in the wrong, be gracious and let it go. If poop needs to hit the fan it will regardless of what you do.
Tell you what: I'll continue to foster a spirit of helpfulness and open communication down here, and you do the same up there. I sincerely wish you the best in this new phase of your career.
Dave
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Sean,
All very valid points .... especially Dave's comment about 'being on the same side'! Sometimes that bit gets lost as the work pressure increases (on both sides of the R/T. )
BTW Best of luck with the Command checks
All very valid points .... especially Dave's comment about 'being on the same side'! Sometimes that bit gets lost as the work pressure increases (on both sides of the R/T. )
BTW Best of luck with the Command checks
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Congrats also.
Just be professional, modest and respectfull of people work with you. Avoid to become a "Skylord" who thinks that everybody on the apron is here just for serve the Lord Captain.
And please treat the plane with care. As I like to remember to my pils; I borrow them MY plane
But the simple fact that you ask this question highlights your modesty. Very good thing. I have no doubt regarding your future
Just be professional, modest and respectfull of people work with you. Avoid to become a "Skylord" who thinks that everybody on the apron is here just for serve the Lord Captain.
And please treat the plane with care. As I like to remember to my pils; I borrow them MY plane
But the simple fact that you ask this question highlights your modesty. Very good thing. I have no doubt regarding your future
Red On, Green On
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From a book called Management By Wandering About by Tom Peters (Amazon etc)
Top tips:
Top tips:
- Appear relaxed as you make your rounds. Employees will reflect your feelings and actions.
- Remain open and responsive to questions and concerns.
- Observe and listen and let everyone see you do it.
- Make certain your visits are spontaneous and unplanned.
- Talk with employees about their passions -- whether family, hobbies, vacations, or sports.
- Ask for suggestions to improve operations, products, service, sales, etc.
- Try to spend an equal amount of time in all areas of your organization.
- Catch your employees doing something right and recognize them publicly.
- Convey the image of a coach -- not an inspector.
- Encourage your employees to show you how the real work of the company gets done.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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captain
As above, find out the engineer's name. I bloody hate being summonsed as 'Eng'. Dont expect us to know absolutely everything about the particular aircraft type, because we dont thats why we have manuals.
Well done on your promotion and I applaud your enthusiasm by placing this thread as most wouldnt bother.
Well done on your promotion and I applaud your enthusiasm by placing this thread as most wouldnt bother.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Congrats Sean! You are already showing some of the traits required by coming on here and asking us what we think! Thanks for that. The only thing I would add is, don't be afraid to hold your hand up if you cocked up!! I don't necessarily mean officially, but a quite word in your engineer's shell-like may well prevent him having to spend most of the night chasing a fault that wasn't there.
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Asking a bunch of oily engineers what makes a good captain probably goes a long to what makes a good captain. Nice one mate.
Being first out with the wallet in the bar and having filthy phone vids to bluetooth around the engineers comes a close second though
Being first out with the wallet in the bar and having filthy phone vids to bluetooth around the engineers comes a close second though
Thread Starter
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Being first out with the wallet in the bar
Don't worry fellas, when I get the nod - there'll be a cold one available for anyone near me !
Thanks again for your tips !
ATB
S.D.
PPRuNe Secret Agent!
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Good luck in the right hand seat
This is the first time this has ever been asked on this forum, nice one Sean
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congrats
Congrtulation on your command upgrade.
You are selected for this cause you have what it takes to b a capn. So my advice - B UR SELF easy as that, Som ppl chage just like that juz cause u hav a title called Capn. They loose there grip, change attitude and start looking down upon people. so NEVER be like that. Remember in Aviation WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
As far as the operation goes.. 1. Safety 2. Efficiency 3. Punctuality 4. Passengers, consider this when u need to take a decesion in this order... You ll never go wrong.
All the best
You are selected for this cause you have what it takes to b a capn. So my advice - B UR SELF
easy as that, Som ppl chage just like that juz cause u hav a title called Capn. They loose there grip, change attitude and start looking down upon people. so NEVER be like that. Remember in Aviation WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUNDAs far as the operation goes.. 1. Safety 2. Efficiency 3. Punctuality 4. Passengers, consider this when u need to take a decesion in this order... You ll never go wrong.
All the best
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Sean,
As I for one hope this thread has proved, need an answer, just ask the question.
There has been an answer from many angles since this was posted in the Ground Ops forum.
Good luck to you, to me you have demonstrated a very noble quality, I'm sure you will do OK.
(P.S. Payroll are the most important part of any team ;-) )
There has been an answer from many angles since this was posted in the Ground Ops forum.
Good luck to you, to me you have demonstrated a very noble quality, I'm sure you will do OK.
(P.S. Payroll are the most important part of any team ;-) )
